You can now read "What's Happening at Windbreak House?" on the Home Page, where news updates and links to newly posted writing and web content will be featured. Linda is no longer posting her seasonal Home Page Messages, though you can browse through the lengthy Home Page Message archives here.

Instead of Home Page messages, Linda is expanding her blogging in 2015. You can still find her blogs on this website by clicking here.

However, you may want to see Linda's new blog "Notes from a Western Life" on WordPress, which has the same content as the website's blog, but allows us to post more photos. You can subscribe to the WordPress blog and have it delivered, photos and all, right to your email in-box.

Linda's Books
If you want information about Linda's books, seeThe Non-fiction Page -- Publication information about Linda's many books of non-fiction stories and essays as well as the more informational texts about Bison and the Roadside History of South Dakota.The Poetry Page -- Linda's poetry collections are listed here, as well as a number of poetry-related stories and essays, some of which (surprise!) contain poems.The Wind Anthologies Page -- Linda co-edited three collections of stories and poems by western women; read all about them.The Books That Include Work By or About Linda Page -- Linda's work appears in many anthologies of essays and poetry. See a list with book covers and descriptions.

Want to know more about a particular story or poem? Post a question for Linda on the Ask Linda Page.

Windbreak House Writing Retreats
Would you like to have Linda help you improve your own writing in a relaxing, creative and supporting environment? See the Retreats Page to learn about Windbreak House Writing Retreats. Linda offers an individualized retreat for each attending writer.

Look here for a photo tour of Homestead House and its surroundings. This is where you'll stay if you attend a retreat.

The Ask Linda Page has answers to some additional questions about writing help and the writing retreat experience. Don't find what you want to know? Post your own question or send us an e-mail (use the link in the left-hand column).

Writing Conversations by eMail
Can't take a retreat vacation right now? Want to work with Linda during the winter when driving to a writing retreat is difficult? Only have the budget or time for short bursts of writing-related fun? See the Online Writing Help Page for complete details on how to sign up for a Writing Conversation by eMail.

For additional information on Linda's philosophy of working with writers and a sample of Linda's writing hand-outs, click here.

And, as always, the Ask Linda Page has answers to some questions about working with Linda on your writing. Don't find what you want to know? Post your own question or send us an email (use the link in the left-hand column).

Linda's Calendars
Hoping to meet Linda in your hometown? See "Where in the World is Linda M. Hasselstrom?" for a list of Linda's upcoming appearances and other newsworthy events. Sign up for one of her workshops, attend a reading, stop by to chat and get an autograph at one of her book signings.

Look on the Retreats Page for the list of "Available Retreat Dates" before you schedule your retreat.

Information about Linda
Want to know more about Linda for that school project, book-club discussion, or just idle curiosity?

Read Linda's biography. We have both a just-the-facts chronology as well as a story-filled version with many photos of Linda and a few of her relatives.

Check out this year's "Where in the World is Linda M. Hasselstrom?" for information on events in Linda's writing life and perhaps a magazine or two in which Linda is featured or has published essays. You can also scroll through previous years lower on the page.

The Linda Online Page has links to other websites that feature Linda's work, interviews with Linda, or have clips of her readings at various events.

Still want to know more? The Ask Linda Page has many more details and you're encouraged to be as nosy as you wish with your own questions. Though be sure to read "The Rules" in the left-hand column of that page.

Environmental Projects on Linda's Ranch
Linda has worked with the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory to improve bird and wildlife habitat on her ranch. Click here to read more about this project. Some lists of birds and animals seen on Linda's ranch are posted here. Many Windbreak House retreat writers enjoy bird-watching and wildlife-viewing during their stay.

On the Critter Stories Page you can see photos of and read brief stories about some birds and wildlife at the ranch.

The Great Plains Native Plant Society is creating a public garden on 350 acres of Linda's ranch. The article about the Claude A. Barr Memorial Great Plains Garden has details, including a list of plant species found on the ranch. The garden is an easy walk from Homestead House; retreat participants are welcome to tour the garden.

Home Page Essay Archives
From December 2009 to December 2014 Linda posted a new message on her Home Page for the eight seasons of the year. We've archived the essays (click here) so you can read the ones you missed and re-read the ones you enjoyed. Some of them include recipes or poems, all have photos. As of 2015 Linda has turned her talents to other writing, including more blogs.

The Fun Stuff
This website also has some fun stuff. See the Books & More Page for:
Stories and photos about the dogs in Linda's life.
Kitties get equal time on this page of Cat Stories.Some horses and cows Linda has known.Rendezvous stories and photos about mountain man reenactment camping.Critter Stories about birds and wildlife at Linda's ranch.The Gallimaufry Page: a jumble of photos and stories that don't fit elsewhere on the website.

Note: I am working on activating the inactive links and adding the missing content to the portions of the website still under construction. If you find any typos, errors in content, or (horrors!) mistakes in grammar, please let me know, using the email link in the left-hand column. Thanks! -- Linda's web-wrangler.

Are You a Writer? --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- June 21, 2011)
Linda discusses many aspects of the writing business-- writing, teaching, speaking, publishing-- and calling yourself a writer.

Argiope the Writing Spider --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- October 2010)
What can a writer learn from a black and yellow garden spider?

Backing into Blogging: How to Blog Without Even Trying --- blog (17 May 2010)

Beulah Land --- on the webpage Books that Include Writing By or About Linda
a story by Linda about a car breakdown in a scary western town.

Celebrating Winter Solstice: How Epiphanies Happen-- or Donít --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- December 2010)
How, when and where does Linda get her ideas? Includes a poem about cleaning the toilet.

Celebrating Winter with Brigid the Light-Bringer --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- February 2, 2012)
Linda writes of what Brigid symbolizes-- hearthcraft, change, and creativity-- and how she applies them to her life these gray winter days. Includes the draft poem "Holding My Breath" or "She Didnít Sweep Up the Broken Glass."

Garden House History: A photo story --- Gallimaufry Page
The story of the garden house, which used to be the kitchen of Anna and John Lindsay and now stands just southeast of the writing retreat, Homestead House.

Gleaning as Writing, Writing as Gleaning --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- September 22, 2012)
Linda writes of specific instances of gleaning and how gleaning has become a philosophy of life and a benefit to her writing. This essay is the full and un-cut version of the essay that appears in the book Going Green: True Tales from Gleaners, Scavengers, and Dumpster Divers, edited by Laura Pritchett, University of Oklahoma Press, 2009.

The Glitter Phase of Life --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- September 21, 2011)
Linda writes of friendships and friendship poems and reaching "the glitter phase of life." Includes two poems on friendship.

How Gardening Resembles the Well-Planned Writing Life --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- May Day Eve, 2012)
Linda links gardening to a plan for writing. Includes an excerpt from Linda's poem "Planting Peas."

Journaling the Fruits of the Season --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- August, 2010)
Savor the summer and reflect on your life with a journal.

The Joys of Memorizing Poetry --- Poetry Page
An essay by Linda about the pleasure of breaking into verse.

Lammas: Celebrating the Season of Regret and Farewells, of Harvest and Preservation --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- August, 2012)
Linda explains how you can "celebrate" regrets and farewells. Learn how harvesting and preservation apply not only to your garden but also to your writing life.

Letter Presses and My First Published Book --- Poetry Page
Linda describes how a letter press works and comes clean about her true first published book.

Let the Vernal Equinox Inspire Your Gardening and Writing --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- March 2011)
How Linda plans for her spring gardening and spring writing projects. Read about harvesting and cooking with buffalo berries.
Includes lists-- and some photos-- of foods grown at Linda's ranch and nearby.

Looking for Grandmother --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- December 21, 2011)
Linda describes how to research the past, particularly your own ancestors, for a writing project. Includes many photos and stories.
A companion piece to the June, 2012 Home Page Message Ruth Said This but Mary Said That: Writing Family History.

May Eve and Vinegar: Bringing Order to Your Writing Life --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- April 30, 2010)
Linda's suggestions for organizing your writing office and files, as well as suggested uses of vinegar and essential oils.

Persistence in Writing --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- March 20, 2012)
Linda writes of inspiration vs. persistence in writing. Includes the poem "1971: Establishing Perpetual Care at the Locust Grove Baptist Cemetery" and the story of why the poem took 38 years to complete.

The Place Iíll Never Know: Some thoughts on learning how to be a nature writer --- Gallimaufry Page
How the book The Place No One Knew (photographs of Glen Canyon by Eliot Porter with his description of the canyon before it was flooded in 1963) changed the way Linda looks at and writes about the world.

Poetry in Daily Life --- blog (19 April 2010)

Proud to Be a Cowboy Poet --- blog (1 March 2010)

Quack or Buffalo? --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- May Day 2011)
Linda discusses the difference between native buffalo grass and invasive quack grass, and ponders the "destructiveness of bustle without thought."

Running With Scissors --- Poetry Page
A story about the poem Lost and Found and the artwork it inspired.

Ruth Said This but Mary Said That: Writing Family History --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- June 21, 2012)
More from Linda about writing your family history. A companion piece to the December, 2011 Home Page Message Looking for Grandmother.

The Sacrament of Bread --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- December, 2009)
A winter message from Linda with a recipe and photo of her hand-kneaded, whole-wheat bread.

Saving Craven Canyon --- blog (17 March 2010)

Summerís End: From Magpie Mind to Turtle Tranquility --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- October 31, 2012)
Linda writes of the contradictions contained in Samhain-- the celebration of the change from summer to winter-- and reveals why she has chosen the turtle as her personal symbol.

Summer Solstice Recipe: Truth in Writing --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- June, 2010)
The story of one book club's reaction to Linda's book Going Over East and Linda's "recipe" for Autobiographical Writing.

Thinking Is Writing --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- October 31, 2011)
Linda writes about the importance of uninterrupted thought in the writing process and gives some suggestions and examples on how to draw the reader into your story.

Wild Onions on the Roof --- blog (5 June 2010)

Wild Pink Roses --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- August 1, 2011)
Linda writes about memories of roses and how one thing leads to another when researching and writing.

Wrap Yourself in Darkness and Banish Fear --- Home Page Message Archives (originally posted --- December 21, 2012)
Linda writes of embracing both the literal and figurative darkness and letting the light into dark places.